Natural Bridge

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Natural Bridge, VA

An October 2005 trip to Natural Bridge by chicanese2

A weekend getaway that was surprisingly inexpensive.

  • 10 reviews

Pink Cadalliac DinerBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO IN NATURAL BRIDGE!
The staff was the friendliest I've ever experienced. The food is good and inexpensive. It's mostly sandwiches and burgers, but there are a few platter meals if you are really hungry.
This is a great place to go if you want to talk to the locals. Everyone is friendly and happy to chat with you.
The decor is Elvis all around and has a great retro feel.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Pink Cadalliac Diner
4743 South Lee Highway Natural Bridge, Virginia 24578
(540) 291-2378

Fancy Hill RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

DO NOT EAT HERE! The food at this place was terrible! My husband ordered spaghetti and I honestly think that they just dumped some canned tomato paste on it. It was thick and had no spices in it. I don't recall what I had exactly, it was some kind of chicken. It was lousy, I do remember that. For the meals we were served, it was overpriced.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Fancy Hill Restaurant
4832 S. Lee Hwy. Natural Bridge, Virginia 24578
(540) 291-4455

Virginia Safari ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Safari Park"

This is the BEST thing we did in Natural Bridge! You drive your car (very slowly of course) through the safari park and stop along the way (there are pull offs) to feed the "wild" animals. We saw zebras, giraffes, bison, emus, deer, camels, etc. When you get there they will ask you if you want to buy a $10 bucket of food. BUY MORE THAN ONE!! Everyone that I know that has gone through has had their bucket stolen by the first animal they came to. When you put the bucket out of the car window for the animal to take some (you aren't supposed to hand feed), the animal grabs the whole bucket and upends it, leaving you with no food. Zebra and camel are especially known for this. They also sell a guide to tell you which animal is which. It is only a few dollars. I enjoyed having it since I'm not familiar with all of the birds they had there. It was nice knowing what I was feeding...or would have been if that camel hadn't stolen my bucket.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Virginia Safari Park
229 Safari Lane Natural Bridge, Virginia 24578
(540) 291-3205

Natural BridgeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Drama of Creation"

The drama of creation isn't a movie, but this is the closest place I could find to put the review. At dark (time varies accd. to season) you gather at the Natural Bridge and sit on some benches they have set up there. A booming recorded voice tells of the creation as orchestral music plays and colored lights are turned on in different places illuminating the bridge. Personally, I was bored, but I do think it is worth going to once.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Natural Bridge
15 Appledore Lane Natural Bridge, Virginia 24578
(800) 533-1410

Natural BridgeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Natural Bridge"

The bridge is really something to behold. It is amazing to think of all the water that once rushed through that area in order to carve a bridge into the stone. There are others things to see, but be prepared to WALK. The places to rest are few and far between. I remember seeing an old mine that had bats in it. Didn't go too far into that one. There was a Monacan village I would have liked to have seen, but it closed at 5PM and we were too late. Kids would probably enjoy that. They have programs during the day involving customs, rituals, etc. As for price, there is a combo ticket you can buy. It is $26 for hotel guests and $28 for non guests (adult). Children's price is $13 as a guest, $14 non guest. The ticket includes the Natural Bridge, the caverns, the wax museum and the toy museum. I found the wax museum disappointing, but the toy museum was nostalgic, and you might as well see everything since you are there.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Natural Bridge
15 Appledore Lane Natural Bridge, Virginia 24578
(800) 533-1410

Natural Bridge CavernsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The caverns are open only March through November!! Price- adults $12 children $6 I really enjoyed seeing the caverns. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. They tell you old stories and legends about the caverns as you walk and point out natural formations. Pleny to time to gawk and take pics is provided. Videos ok. It wasn't a difficult walk, if you are worried about that. The gift shop was lame.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Natural Bridge Wax MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

I thought the was museum was dull. Lots of poorly done figures of civil war era people and some biblical recreations. There is a special presentation of the Last Supper in wax also. It includes narration. The Natural Bridge office sells you a ticket that includes the Natural Bridge, Caverns, Wax Museum, and Toy Museum for only $26 as a hotel guest, so you might as well check it out. It is $28 for the pass if you are not a hotel guest.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Natural Bridge Toy MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Toy Museum was nostalgic. It was heart warming seeing the toys I grew up with and even some that I had forgotten. While not a riveting, exciting experience, I did enjoy it. It comes with the combo ticket, so go ahead and check it out.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Professor Cline's Haunted Monster MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Professor Kline's Haunted Monster Museum"

Small groups are brought in and told a scary story about the house. Your "host" then leaves and you wander through while being scared by banging doors, things popping out at you, etc. When that is over, you are free to walk the ground of Dinosaur Kingdom, just outside. Here, there are large plaster(?) dinos to see and take pics with. Quite a few of them. Worth the walk.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

Professor Cline's Haunted Monster Museum
Hwy 130 Natural Bridge, Virginia
(800) 533-1410

Lexington, VA Ghost TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Tour is May - Oct only!! Lexington is only a few miles outside of Natural Bridge and worth the drive. You meet at the Visitor's Center (be sure to call ahead first (540) 464-2250 and go on a walk through town hearing various scary stories and tales of ghosts and odd happenings. This is probably the best thing we did on this trip. Definitely do this. Be ready to walk. Wear comfortable shoes.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by chicanese2 on August 17, 2006

About the Writer

chicanese2
chicanese2
Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • "I usually take one "big" trip a year, whether its to visit family or just to relax. I get out on sm..."
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